Fantastic photos from around the Ring, Part 2

At the end of a leisurely stroll through the capital’s first "public garden" you will reach the Heldenplatz (Heroes' Square). After a mélange (read: Mähloonsch) in the Café Meierei and a first look at the provisional parliament building (the venerable halls vis-à-vis are being restored) it is time for the wide-angle or the panoramic function on the mobile phone. What you can see stretching over a few hundred metres here is the Hofburg or imperial palace. In addition to the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) and the famous Spanish Riding School, the large central part - the Neue Burg - houses the Austrian National Library.

Secret passages to the palm splendour

From here, most walk back and along the Ring to the entrance of the Burggarten.  Vienna experts and experienced "flaneurs" prefer to take the small passage "In der Burg" which is hidden opposite the monument to Emperor Franz I. Just a few metres, which will take you across on one of the many inner courtyards, will show you the traces of innumerable conversions and additions which have taken place here over the centuries. If you are interested in architectural history and want a photo souvenir other than the postcard clichés, then the beautiful shortcut to the Burggarten with its fascinating nooks and corners should not be missed. 
 

"The sunken box"

Back on the Ring, past the twin museums and the entrance to the Hofburg, then voilà! The"grand finale" of this stately photo safari: the Vienna State Opera. The "First House on the Ring" is (and rightly so!) one of the most famous opera houses in the world. The Viennese themselves were - again - originally not so happy with the first project on the Ringstrasse. Because the level of the ring was subsequently raised by one metre, the Viennese somewhat maliciously called the then “court opera” the "sunken box".

All the great stars of the opera world have sung here. In 2012, for the first time, the walls did not reverberate with grandiose opera voices, but with the finest electro sounds and around 2,400 people dancing. For one night tradition and modernity, classical musicians and world-famous DJs met at the "Electr.Oper" - the first and (to date) only in the history of the Vienna State Opera. By the way, even Tom Cruise caused a sensation as he swung from the roof of the building during the production of "Mission Impossible 5".

Even experienced selfie hunters would now be tempted to take a photo of themselves with the opera in the background - as do dozens of tourists who (much to the annoyance of motorists and tram drivers) squeeze onto a tiny traffic island diagonally opposite and try to do just that. Instead, we suggest you continue to walking.
 

The right detours 

It is best to turn right now into the Akademiestrasse. Go past Vienna’s Stadtkino (cinema) in the Künstlerhaus and then, on a level with the famous Musikverein, through the subway – where, if you are lucky, one of the many music student who hang around here, will be giving a free concert. The subway takes you directly to Resselpark, right next to Charles Church. In the warm summer months you will mainly find locals here who buy a drink from one of the kiosks and then put their tired feet in the cool water of the fountain to watch the spectacular sunset behind Charles Church. If you haven’t done so already, this is time for a selfie – Vienna style.